Although romantic love inundates much of popular media, historically the origins of romantic love can be traced back 3,000 years to Egypt, and the love story between Isis and Osiris.

But what is love? D. Tennov researched the characteristics of being in love, and called it “limerence.”

Limerence begins the moment another person takes on a “special meaning” for one person. It may be a complete stranger and for others it may be an old friend who is suddenly seen in a new light. The infatuation stage often begins with intrusive thinking. And as the fixation grows a person begins to spend between 85 to 100 percent of waking hours thinking of their new love. During this stage the focus is on the positive aspects of their new partner and not their faults. Particularly thinking is focused upon their physical features and personality.

From an early age we begin to develop an unconscious mental template, or ‘love map,’ this is a group of physical, psychological, and behavioural traits that one is attracted to in a partner. A love map is developed from our early childhood experiences. Specific likes and dislikes are developed in response to our family, friends, and chance associations. Importantly people fall in love when they are ready. And barriers enhance infatuation for both men and women. For instance ‘the chase’ is stimulating when we find someone mysterious.

Although culture plays a crucial role in who we find attractive, for example where and when we date, and how we pursue a potential partner. But nothing can teach us about how we feel as we fall in love. Like the other emotions of fear, anger, and jealousy the love response appears to be generated by brain/body physiology. M. Liebowitz suggests that limerence is when our limbic system becomes either saturated or sensitised to natural amphetamines.

Eventually attraction wanes and attachment grows. The development of attachment is when new chemicals take over which leads to the feelings of safety, stability, tranquillity, and peace. This is generally interpreted as the development of companion love. The approximate time from the beginning of limerence to the development of companion love varies between eighteen months and three years. Liebowitz suggests the end of limerence is due to the brain becoming habituated to the natural amphetamine. But not all individuals go on to develop companion love. Some begin to detach from the relationship. Research suggests that this may be due to becoming desensitised or overloaded with attachment hormones and the attachment begins to wane.

Chris has an open communication counselling style, friendly and professional. He quickly made me feel at ease and prepared to discuss openly and honestly the issues that came up in our sessions. He checked in with me when issues were potentially emotionally challenging and made me feel safe in our counselling relationship. He is quite intuitive and has introduced a range of counselling/therapy during our sessions. Including cognitive behavioural, relationship and psycho dynamic processes in the exploring my issues. He has very effectively facilitated exploration of my family narrative which has assisted my recognition and understanding of several important emotional experiences and challenges which I am currently understanding and addressing.

Narelle - Retail Manager

I initially first started to see Chris as I was struggling with health and confidence issues as a result of an accident and the end of a significant long term relationship. In the time I was fortunate enough to see Chris I was able to move from someone who didn’t really want to face anotherdayto someone who could and wanted to navigate through whatever lay ahead. Chris helped guide me through these events whilst challenging and supporting me to work through them. Most importantly he found a way to help me see the possibilities of a happier healthier future. He provided a safe environment where I could take off my victim t-shirt and move on.

Ian - Industrial Manager

Working with Chris has given me the skills to empower myself. I've taken control of my life to pursue challenges and rewards that give me personal satisfaction.

Matthew - Police Officer

Chris is a very warm caring person, he had a peaceful & comfortable presence about him. his insights, way of explaining and "unpacking" what's discussed is what makes him unique.The therapy he's conducted has been very beneficial.

Jealousy is often experienced within intimate relationships due to perceived infidelity by a partner. But what is jealousy? Jealousy has been defined as, the cognitions, emotions, and behaviours that follow a loss or threat to self-esteem and/or existence or quality of a romantic relationship,

How we communicate within our intimate relationships can contribute to our overall happiness. It is not only important to listen to one’s partner it is also important to develop speaking skills that increase connection and lower the negative impact of disagreements.

We have all experienced jealousy at some time in our lives. But what is jealousy? Jealousy has been described as a complex range of emotions that affect both men and women. Jealousy stems from a fear of being abandoned, and may include feelings of rage and humiliation.

There is a general belief that people who identify as asexual do not form romantic relationships. New research indicates that this is not the case. Lori Brotton of the University of British Columbia suggests that there has always been a general assumption that sexual attraction and romantic attraction happen at the same time.

We all know that the internet has changed the way we communicate and how we experience the world, but new research indicates that the internet may also be adding excitement to monogamous relationships.

How we give and receive feedback in romantic relationships may be an indication of our overall happiness. Research suggests that feelings of love, bliss, emotional connection, and physical attraction lie at the heart of how happy we are as individuals.

Are there any similarities between how same sex attracted couples and opposite sex attracted couples view relationships? Research indicates that same sex attracted couples may have very similar relationship desires and needs as opposite sex attracted couples.

During the 1970s and 1980s popular print media highlighted the importance of sexual pleasure and happiness for many in the western world. The emphasis was on liberating both men and women from the sexually oppressive 1950s.

After many years together couples may begin to feel that monogamy is slowly slipping into monotony. The once exciting sex life has disappeared under the weight of a mortgage, work, children, family commitments, and life in general.

Recent research has explored the effect of yoga on a person’s overall health. A lot of the focus has been on the physical benefits of yoga. This is particularly about the impact yoga may have upon the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and lower-back pain.

Men generally tend to sabotage their chances of good health because they are too shy, too macho, too busy, or too afraid to ask for help. Statistically men visit their GP half as often as women but globally men die younger than women. In contrast men are more sensitive to mild ailments such as flu and tend to over-rate how bad the symptoms are in comparison with women.